A Sudden Atlanta Evening: Ann Mashburn & The Optimist

Every now and then I find myself on a surprise adventure of sorts- yesterday it was an afternoon trip to Atlanta to take care of some business. And so I figured, well why not catch up with friends while here?

 

Luckily, one of them answered my text. Chris has been a friend of mine for nearly ten years (God am I really this old?) and he’s one of those people I keep up with and even though we haven’t seen each other in about two years- we’re able to pick up right where we left off.

 

I was in Buckhead for meetings, he lives in Midtown- so after I was done we went to meet at JCT Kitchen. Only, I got there a little early. Which was actually fortunate because I’d heard about Ann Mashburn from a friend in Athens- he had actually first spoke of their sister store, Sid Mashburn, but I wasn’t able to make it over there.

 

 

 

 

 

I had just a few minutes of time, but in those few minutes I fell in love. I love that you can schedule an appointment in advance through their website, I love that they have a section dedicated solely to the classic white shirt, something that every woman must have. As their website says, “everything is elevated by a perfect white shirt”. Love!

 

 

 

 

 

This is the perfect balance of items that we need as well as the ones we want. The store exudes classic style mixed with contemporary fun. My only regret is that I could not stay longer.

 

Now, we had a bit of a misstep in figuring out where to go grab a quick glass of wine and catch up. I am clearly not a native Atlantan, so I assume Chris knows what’s open and what’s not. Apparently, my assumptions were wrong. However even in our confusion, we ended up at The Optimist- which was perfectly fine by me. (That also meant leaving my car where it was and getting to ride in his Porsche- not a bad plan at all.) And since JCT Kitchen and The Optimist are owned by the same person, James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restauranteur semi-finalist Ford Fry, I didn’t feel so bad about leaving one for the other.

 

The Optimist is one of those places that has always been on my list of places to go, but I’ve just never been able to for whatever reason. The Optimist sets out to provide a “seaside fish camp experience to landlocked Atlantans”, as their website states. I’m not sure that I can adequately speak to the seaside fish camp experience, given that I have never partaken of that type of thing, but the place sure is pretty. And the food even better.

 

When asked what type of wine I wanted, I of course tell our bartender a dry white wine- I adore a good red wine but it’s also one of those things that I only drink it when I know I’ll have a long evening out. I generally prepare myself to end up with something a little more on the fruity side than I may have wanted, but our bartender was spot on with his recommendation of the bordeaux Chateau Lamothe de Haux white Bordeaux. Color me happy right here.

 

 

 

 

Now, since this is one of Chris’s favorite places I went ahead and let him tell me what to order. And I’m glad I did because I haven’t had scallops in a while (note: a positive to my last relationship ending? I can now eat scallops and shellfish again because he was deathly allergic to it) nor would I usually order mussels.

 

The mussels are served in a green curry coconut broth, bird’s eye chile, and picked herbs. And the mussels themselves were a really good size, large and easy to pluck from their shells. Seriously the best mussels I’ve had in my life.

 

 

 

 

Chris insisted on ordering the Georges Bank scallops with cannellini beans, tasso ham, and brown butter chicken jus. Many times I’ve had scallops that are just fine as a starter, but might not work as a fully fleshed out entree. But not this. These were simply amazing and completely filling all on their own and if I wasn’t concerned about looking ridiculous I would have eaten it down to the last drop.

 

All in all, I had a lovely spur of the moment trip to Atlanta. It’s little days and moments like these which remind me that I’ve got to live in the moment a little more- this is a goal for 2015. And, I can’t wait to get back up to Ann Mashburn to shop and The Optimist to stay a little longer.

 

Love to all y’all,

 

Molly